Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Jack Russells > barking at squirrels

barking at squirrels

20 9:30:12

Question
We have an 18 month old shortie (Jane) who is such a great dog!  We love her and she seems to be getting enough stimulation, exercise, etc.  However,  we have a lot of squirrels in our neighborhood and they seem to drive Jane crazy.  She sits at the base of the trees and barks her head off when she sees them.  Otherwise, she isn't much of a barker.  We will no longer leave her outside even for short periods when we are not home b/c I don't want her to disturb the neighbors.  When we are home and her barking is incessant, I have tried distracting her and praising her when she is quiet but I haven't found anything that really works.  Is she just doing her "job" as a terrier, and am I being unrealistic to think that I can train her to stop barking at the sqirrels?

Thank you for any advice you can provide.

Trish

Answer
Hi Trish,

Well, you're right about her "doing her job". Jacks are instinctual hunters, and will bark at the squirrels (and/or any other "critter" she might spot). When the squirrel is "caught" as up in the tree, she is barking to let you know that she has succeeded in the trap/catch.

There are a couple of things you can try called bark deterrants. One is reinforcing a negative response every time she barks - you can use a squirt bottle of water and spray her in the face the SECOND she starts to bark. Sometimes this is hard if you're in the house and she's outside, but if you have the option to go out with her every time she goes out and give her a spray each and every time she starts to bark, she will eventually get the idea that when she barks, she will receive a negative response. Consistency is the key here. You have to do this every time she barks. She can't be allowed to bark one day or one time and not the next.
You could also try a bark collar. Some people automatically feel this is painful to the dog, it is a slightly uncomfortable pressure on the neck but they sell  ones that squirt water!!  
Lastly you could try the "psst" and poke method which requires you to make a noise and give her a poke in the rump! Again, a negative response to barking, but requires you to be with her all the time and consistent.
You should realize that even trying all these methods might not give you perfect results. Jacks bark.
A drastic measure which is an absolute "no other option" for some dogs/people would be to have their dog surgically altered - which doesn't completely eliminate the bark but makes it much more quiet. I personally wouldn't suggest this option - but it is considered by some.
I wish you the very best of luck! Don't give up  :))
(shorties are the best!)